Spencer Henry Lieb

Spencer Lieb, of Crawfordville, Florida, formerly of Tallahassee, whose long and distinguished career as a Senior Epidemiologist at the Florida Department of Health brought him nationwide attention, died peacefully on November 6, 2023, at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Lieb’s research on HIV/AIDS has been hailed as a major contribution to the understanding of the causes and treatment of HIV, as described in GoogleScholar/Spencer Lieb. Another listing is at ResearchGate.

In 2011, after his forty-year tenure at the Florida Department of Health, Mr. Lieb joined The AIDS Institute (TAI) as Coordinator for HIV/AIDS Research. He retired in 2017.

Paul Arons, M.D., who was Medical Director in the Florida HIV/AIDS Program during Mr. Lieb’s career, said: “Spencer combined the attributes of a brilliant conceptual and analytical thinker with technical expertise, methodological creativity, and humanitarian sensitivities. His career and legacy represent Public Health at its best. Besides which, I will miss him as a great friend.”

In addition to his scientific career, Mr. Lieb was a dedicated musician and lyricist, composing and recording dozens of songs. He performed at clubs in New York City, where he lived before moving to Florida. In recent years, he enjoyed collaborating with other musicians, singing duets with his wife, Kathy, creating CD’s, and performing for family and friends.

TV producer Patti Kaplan called him “a brilliantly creative sparkling soul.”

Mr. Lieb had a wide circle of friends and enjoyed racquetball, as well as playing poker with “the boys.” Mark Greenfield, who knew him from childhood, said: “I've always admired how Spencer lived his life on his own terms. I am so grateful to have shared in the life of a giant.”

At the time of his death, Mr. Lieb was completing a memoir, which his family hopes to publish in the coming year.

Spencer Henry Lieb, son of Sigmund Lieb and Mabel Cohen Lieb, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 14, 1945. The family moved to Long Island in 1950, and Spencer attended Lynbrook High School, where he received his class’s Best Driver Award and graduated as Salutatorian. Spencer attended Swarthmore College on a full scholarship from the Grumman Corporation. He graduated from Queens College and received a Master of Public Health from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Mr. Lieb is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen Gaylor; his son, Evan Lieb Beattie; his grandson, Pierce Beattie; his daughter, Jennifer Beattie Lieb Rose; his sister, Jo Ann Miller; and his former wife and mother of his children, Noreen Beattie. Other survivors include Natalie Beattie (wife of Evan), Rachel Rose (wife of Jennifer), Louis Miller (husband of Jo Ann); stepsons, Evan Musheno and Todd Musheno; daughters-in-law Jennifer Musheno (wife of Evan) and Erin McDaniel (wife of Todd); nephews, Michael Miller and Nicholas Miller and their families.

A Celebration of Life for Spencer Lieb is being planned for early 2024.